Bird-cage protector.



C. W. STONE.

BBD GAGE PROTECTOR.

APBLIGATION FILED 111111.12, 1911.

l Patented Jan. 23, 1912.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

Snom/1470@ G, W. STONE. BIRD GAGE/PROTECTOR.

APPLIGATION FILED MAR. e, 1911.

Patented Jan. 23, 1912.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

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BIRD-CAGE PROTECTOR.

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To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that l, CARoLiNE lV. STONE, citizen of the United States,residing at Newton Center, in the county of Middlesex and State ofMassachusetts, have invented certain new and useful .improvements inBird-Cage Protectors, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to bird cages, more particularly to a novel formof shieldfor protecting birds when caged, from injury by cats, mice, andthe like. l

rilhe object of the invention is to provide a shield or protector ofsimple and durable construction capable of being readily positioned overa bird-cage, and by means of which the cage may be suspended from asuitable support without danger of mice entering the cage, or cats ordogs prying open the bars thereof and frightening or injuring the bird.

A further object is to provide a protector including a reticulated bodyportion having an opening formed in the top thereof to permit thepassage of the suspension ring of a cage,'and provided with oppositelydisposed loops for engagement with a flexible securing element, saidloops also constituting handles by means of which the protector may beconveniently placed upon or re moved from a cage. A still further objectof the invention is generally to improve this class of devices so as toincrease their utility, durability and efficiency, as well as to reducethe cost of manufacture.

Further objects and advantages will appear in the following description,it being understood that' various changes in form, proportions, andminor details of construction may be resorted to within the scope of theappended claims.

For a full understanding of the invention reference is to be had tothefollowing description and accompanying drawing, in which; v

Figure l is a perspective view of a birdcage provided with a shield orprotector constructed in accordance with my invention; Fig. 2 is avertical sectional view show ing the manner of fastening the shield orfrotector in position on the bird-cage; and gig. 3 is a iside elevationshowing the con- Specicaton of Letters Patent.

struction of the reinforcing members and, lock engaging loops.

Patented Jaino 23, 1912..

Application med March s, 191i. serial No. 613,081.

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the followingdescription and indicated in .all the views of the accompanying drawingsby the same reference characters.

The improved'shield or protector forming the subject matter of thepresent invention is especially designed for attachment to bird-cagesand the like, and by way of illustration is shown in connection with abirdcage of the ordinary construction,in which 5 4designates the body ofthe cage, 6 the bottom, and 7 a swivel ring by means of whichv the cagemay be conveniently suspended from a bracket 7 or other suitablesupport,

The device comprises a body portion 8,

preferably rectangularin shape, and formed of reticulated material so asto prevent cats, dogs, and other natural enemies from prying open thebars of the cage and injuring the bird, or mice from obtaining access tothe interior of the cage, while at the same time permitting the freecirculation ofair through the cage and light to enter the same.

The wire mesh constituting the body of the protector is reinforced andstrengthened at the bottom thereof by metallic bands 9, which latterrest on the bottom 6 of the cage near the upstanding flange l0 thereof.

The top of the shield is provided with an opening 1lto permit thepassage of the suspension ring 7 the walls of said opening beingpreferably reinforced by a metallic ring .12. Extending around theshield or protector, at the upper portion thereof, is an ornamentalscrollwork, preferably formed of a continuous length of wire bent ortwisted to form a series of coils 13, which latter are secured to thewire mesh of the protector by binding wires 14 and serve to reinforcethe protector and retain the latter in its proper shape.

' Extending diagonally from the corners of the protector are ornamentalscrolls l5, preferably extending the entire height of the shield,andalso fastened to the body of the protector by securing wires similarin lconstruction to the securing wires 14. Se-

cured to the opposite side walls of the protector are reinforcingmembers 17, each preferably formed of a single length of wire, havingits intermediate portion bent to produce a depending neck 18, the wire`being thence bent to form a series of loops andthence continueddownwardly at -the j rear of the neck 18 and bent upwardly to form aloop 19 constituting a handle, the wire after the loop is formed beingtwisted around the neck 18, as shown.

The shield or protector is retainedin `position upon the bottom of thebird-cage by means of a flexible securing element 20, preferably in theform of a chain, one end 4 of which. is secured to one of -the loops 19on one side of the protectonrwhile the other end thereof extends beneaththe bottom 6 of the cage and is provided with a terminal hook 21 forengagement with the loop on the other side of the protector, thus toprevent a cat from lifting the bottom of the protector with a vview to`obtaining access l to the interior of the cage.

lhook on said securing element extended vthrough the adjacent loop 19.Withb the protector in position on the bird-cage, the latter may beconveniently suspended on a nail or'otherl suitablesupportby the ring 7Without danger of mice entering the cage, or cats and thelikefrightening or injuring the bird. l

It Will here' be noted that'the mesh of the wire screen constituting thebody of the pro tector is relatively fine, so that the protector inaddition to its function as a guard or protector against cats, mice, andthe like, also serves to prevent waste of seed and other feed containedin the cage.

If desired the shield or protector may be used as a bird cage, in whichevent, the protector will'be attached to the bottom portion or tray 6and suitable cross bars extended across the opening 11 to permit theattachment of a suspension ring, thus dispensing with the ordinary cageand consequently reducing the cost of manufacture. The protectors may bemade in different sizes and shapes and provided with any desii-edsurface ornamentation without depart-` ing from the vspirit of theinvention. Having` thus described the invention,

vwhat is claimed as new is:

1. The ,combination with a bird-cage including a suspension device, of aprotector fitting over the cage and formed of reticu lated material, thetop of the protector being provided with an yppening 'to permit thepassage of the suspension device, and the lower edge of s aid protectorbeing provided with reinforcing strips for engagement with the bottom`of the cage, loops extending laterally from the side walls of the cageand constituting handles, and a flexible securing element extendingbeneath the bottom of the cage and enga-ging said loops.

2.. The combination with a bird-cage including a suspension device, of aprotector fitting over the cage and having its top provided With anopening to permit the .passage ofthe suspension device and its loweredge resting on the bottom of the cage, reinforcing members secured tothe side walls of the protector and provided with. loops constitutinghandles, and a flexible securing element having one end thereof fastenedto one of the loops, and its-other end extended beneath the bottom ofthe cage and provided'with a terminal hook for engagement with the otherloop.

3. The combination with a .bird-cage in-V cluding a suspension device,of a protector fitting over the cage and having its lower end reinforcedand its upper end provided with an opening to permit the passage, of thesuspension device, a reinforcing ring surrounding said openirg,reinforcing members bearing against the side walls of the protector atthe upper portion thereof, auxiliary reinforcing members extendinglaterally from the corners of the protector, loops secured to the sideWalls of the protector and constituting handles, and a flexible securingelement having one end thereof fastened to one of the loops and itsother end extended beneath the bottom of the cage for engagement withthe other loop.

4. The combination with a bird-cage having a suspension device andvprovided with a bottom having an upstanding ange provided with terminalteeth constituting a guard, of a protector fitting overthe cage andhaving its lower edge resting-on the bottom of the cage and spaced fromsaid flange and its upper end provided with an opening to permit thepassage of the suspension device, loops secured to the opposite sideWalls of the protector and constituting handles, and a securing'elementextending peneath the cage for engagement with said oops. i

5. A protector for bird-cages, comprising a body portion adapted to fitover a birdcage and having its lower end open and its upper portionprovided with an opening to permit the passage of the suspension deviceof said cage, reinforcing members secured to the side walls oftheeprotector and each formed of a single length of wire having itsintermediate portion bent to produce a contracted neck, the wire beingthence bent to form a serios of loops and thence continued downwardly atthe rear of the neck and upwardly in engagement with said neck to form ahandle.

6. rThe combination with a bird cage inclndng a suspension device, of aprotectoil fitting over the cage and having its top provided with anopening to permit the passage of the suspension device and its loweredge resting on the bottom of the cage, loops extending laterally fromthe side Walls of said Cage and constituting handles, mid a securingelement extending beneath the bottom ol the cage and engaging saidloops.

' 7. A protector for bird cages comprising a ventilated body portionhaving its lower end open and its upper enclclosed and. provided with anopening, and reinforcing members lsecured to the exterior walls of theprotector and provided with laterally eX tending loops constitutinghandles.

ln testimony whereof, l affix my signature in presence ot' twoWitnesses. e

CAROLINE WEISCUPF STONE. Witnesses:

JOHN DEGAN, WALTER E. ROGERS.y

